The Texan sunlight beamed through the glass windows of the Dallas Stadium to bring a divine backdrop to Lionel Messi’s latest two-goal masterpiece.

A glorious 17th World Cup goal, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record became his latest act to bolster immortal status back home in Argentina and across the world.

After a first hat-trick on this stage to swat Algeria aside, a typically delightful finish with his left instep sent the world champions on their way to a 2-0 victory over the terrier-like Austria. And a second, his 18th in the tournament’s history, came through brute force in stoppage time to extend this relentless start from the world champions, who top Group J and have a place in the last 32 sewn up.

A 201st cap for the albiceleste and a 28th World Cup appearance, Messi continues to endure on this grand stage, but before the ecstasy came a gasp in disbelief at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

For all of Messi’s superpowers, a ruthless streak from the spot has evaded him occasionally; a rare weakness with 33 missed spot kicks from 149 taken leaves him at a respectable, if not spectacular 78.4 percent success. But in a world where Messi has reimagined what is possible, it remains a puzzling blemish in his arsenal.

A hushed expectation fell across this stadium in the ninth minute, while Austria humbly stood back and allowed Messi time and space to prepare. But Messi’s run-up lacked the intensity of the moment and a casual sweep of his left boot sent the ball curling wide of Alexander Schlager’s post.

But on a lonely walk back to midfield as play resumed back towards Argentina’s goal, an underrated quality in Messi’s legendary career shone brightly.

Across the remainder of the game Messi displayed a resilience to shrug off the disappointment of his misstep and make a vital adjustment to slice Austria apart. With each curious stroll into his own half, vacating the space around the Austrian centre-backs, Argentina started to confuse the Europeans and enable blue and white shirts to flood beyond the ball.

A delicate ball inside to Thiago Almada set the champions on their way and when the ball reached Facundo Medina there were four Argentine players ahead of their talisman. Almada cleverly left the ball, in a moment worthy of an assist and in stark contrast to Cristiano Ronaldo’s reluctance to do so for Bruno Fernandes earlier in the tournament. Waiting, unmarked, was Messi, primed and ready, he cushioned the ball back across goal and inside the left corner with Schlager already committed.

The serenity of the celebration, with two fingers pointing to the stands, quickly descended into a chaotic outpouring of relief to send his team on their way.

But Argentina met an organised Ralf Rangnick outfit, whose gegenpressing lit the fuse to a compelling contest. Enzo Fernandez and Messi exchanged passes like a pinball machine in the opening minutes, with Lautaro Martinez sent through on goal as red shirts descended on him in a panic. Stefan Posch from one side, Xaver Schlager on another, with the pair bundling Martinez to the ground. Martinez lay motionless, but a belated call from VAR ensured a penalty would eventually be given, as Posch grazed the Inter forward’s boot a fraction of a second before Schlager cleanly took the ball.

But after Messi’s shocking miscue, he turned playmaker to reshape the contest. Martinez outmuscled Kevin Danso to release Messi inside the box and his quick feet sent Paul Wanner flying. But David Alaba poked the ball away from Messi and towards his own goal, with Schlager’s outstretched leg preventing an own-goal.

The 38-year-old’s deeper role was causing havoc by this point, with his delicate throughball almost finding Fernandez. Schlager raced off his line to clear, but the ball fell kindly to Messi, who arrowed it towards the empty goal, only for Alaba to scramble back and make the goalline clearance.

The pattern had been set, though, with Messi knitting everything together, including that slick move to break the deadlock.

Austria refused to wilt though as Konrad Laimer outsmarted the clumsy Cristian Romero. Marcel Sabitzer curled the free-kick beautifully towards the top right corner, only for Emi Martinez’s left glove to deflect it away.

Danso’s chest then rebounded Fernandez’s thudding strike with the game still delicately poised.

But the game was gathering pace and opening up space; Sabitzer wrestled free and chipped to the back post, but despite brushing off Medina, Michael Gregoritsch failed to control his header on target.

Argentina gladly opted for a direct approach, too, with Nicolas Tagliafico’s bending ball finding Nicolas Gonzalez in behind, only for Danso’s desperate recovery to prevent a decisive second.

The Spurs defender’s flick-on almost saw a shock Austrian equaliser, but Patrick Wimmer’s header drifted wide.

And just as Austria sniffed a famous draw, Messi ruthlessly dashed their hopes and was sent clear down the right on the break. The Inter Miami star saw Leandro Paredes and Julien Alvarez galloping free to his left. The ball was perfect for Alvarez, who failed to finish, but Paredes squared to Messi inside the box.

After a magnetic first touch, and a rather more familiar quality, Messi’s first effort was blocked, but his second, bludgeoned towards goal and through red shirts sealed it.

An 18th World Cup goal has Argentina in dreamland and into the last 32. Two wins from two games, five goals scored and zero conceded. But in Dallas, it needed the tenacity to shake off a moment of adversity. A precious quality on the road to back-to-back titles.

Mr Burnham has officially taken his seat as Makerfield’s new MP in the House of Commons following last week’s by-election landslide victory.

The moment came just hours after an emotional farewell from Sir Keir Starmer, who this morning announced his resignation as both prime minister and Labour leader.

Mr Burnham has confirmed he wants to succeed Sir Keir, amid suggestions the leadership race could amount to a “coronation” rather than a contest.

Andy Burnham arrives at Portcullis House in Westminster (Image: Andrew Matthews, PA Wire)

His arrival in Parliament was met by a small protest, with some shouting “traitor” as he got out of a taxi from London’s Euston station.

He swept through the parliamentary estate, pausing to greet Labour MPs including former defence secretary John Healey.

Making his way through the Commons chamber, Sir Desmond Swayne, a Conservative former minister, heckled: “Rome is saved.”

Another MP shouted: “He’s not the Messiah”.

However, a cheery Mr Burnham took the jokes in good faith and, in a nod to Monty Python’s Life of Brian, replied: “Naughty boy.”

After being sworn in, the new Makerfield MP posed for pictures with scores of parliamentary colleagues, including former Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Mr Streeting had set out his intention to enter a leadership contest, claiming the backing of 81 MPs in recent weeks.

However, today he said he would support Mr Burnham to become the next Labour leader, making it highly likely the former Greater Manchester mayor will replace Sir Keir as prime minister in July.

Andy Burnham with colleagues from the Parliamentary Labour Party in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Mr Burnham’s journey from Manchester to London had been closely monitored, with rolling news coverage tracking his delayed Avanti West Coast train.

It arrived 21 minutes late and he was met by around 50 journalists, photographers and videographers.

Mr Burnham said: “It’s been very, kind of, sad for me today to leave Greater Manchester.”

“The people have been brilliant to me over the last few years. I’ve loved every minute of the role.

“I hope I leave Manchester in a better place.”

Moshe Kasher has revealed the ‘lousy news’ that he underwent surgery after being diagnosed with cancer three months ago.

The Pitt actor, 46, had found a ‘bump’ in his throat, which turned out to be HPV-positive tonsil cancer that needed to be removed.

He had found the lump several months ago while working as a writer on the Judd Apatow-directed film The Comeback King out in Georgia.

‘It was cancer. Which did not rule so hard,’ he wrote in a post, in which he also quipped ‘Happy Father’s Day’ in the caption.

He posted a picture of himself with a bandage on his neck and a tube attached, saying he was on ‘so much oxy[codone] as he wrote a message.

‘Two days ago, a Jewish surgery robot at Cedars-Sinai yanked my jaw open for 5 hours and cut it out and then slit my throat and dissected my neck leaving me with a hardcore neck scar which will make people reluctant to street fight me,’ Moshe penned.

He also shared a diagram of the surgery before continuing his graphic description of the procedure he’d just endured.

‘My tongue was clamped and yanked out of my mouth and is so swollen and bruised,’ the actor continued. ‘I sound like I Am Sam.’

While he appeared to have a sense of humour about the ordeal, Moshe admitted the experience was ‘the most terrifying and consciousness-consuming experience of my life.’

Despite his diagnosis, he remained on set with 12-hour writing days for the Glen Powell-fronted film, to help push through the ‘terror, meditation, tears, and medical planning.’

In a shout-out to the acclaimed director, he added: ‘I truly cannot believe I managed to work an entire movie while dealing with this. But Judd could not have been a more kind, supportive and nurturing friend all while on the verge of a five hour energy overdose from his terrifying habit.’

Moshe also thanked the staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was treated, calling them ‘kind’ and ‘pros’.

Concluding, he wrote: ‘I’m in pain and I’m in the middle of a very difficult process. It’s gonna be a long summer. But the good news is the cancer I have has an incredibly high cure rate (in the 95% zone).

‘As for getting through this – I am. I will continue. I will get better. I’m so grateful I have a life that’s worth living and a kid to raise this Father’s Day.’

Moshe is dad to eight-year-old daughter, Frida, whom he shares with his wife and fellow comedian, Natasha Leggero.

While the actor is best known for his work on The Pitt as Jacob Samuel, a American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter who helps deaf patients, he’s also a comedian and writer.

He and Natasha host the Endless Honeymoon podcast, named after their comedy special of the same name.

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Greater Manchester Police said the individual, Thomas, was last seen at around 6pm on Saturday (June 6) around Birkleigh Walk.

Thomas is described as being around 6ft tall with a medium build, with short light-brown hair and a brown or ginger beard.

He is said to have bright blue eyes, tanned skin, and a wrinkled forehead.

It has been suggested that Thomas may be wearing a Montreal teal-green zip windbreaker.

Officers have stated they are becoming increasingly concerned for Thomas’ safety and wellbeing and are urging the public to come forward with any information that may assist in locating him.

Anyone with information about Thomas’ whereabouts is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or 0161 856 5511, quoting log 1514 of June 18.

In emergencies, members of the public are advised to call 999.

The former mayor was swarmed by reporters at Euston station this afternoon

Andy Burnham has issued his verdict on calls for a general election following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation earlier today (June 22).

The former Greater Manchester mayor was officially sworn in as the new Member of Parliament for Makerfield in the House of Commons this afternoon following his decisive victory in the constituency last Thursday (June 18).

But Burnham has said it would be “jumping several hurdles ahead” to call a general election should he become the next prime minister following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation, which followed a weekend spent mulling his future with his family at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence, according to PA.

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In a statement outside Downing Street this morning that competed with a protester playing the EU anthem Ode To Joy, Sir Keir said his party had asked “whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election”.

He said: “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”

Defending his record, he pledged to give his successor “my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago”.

With a wavering voice, he added: “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job, being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy.”

As he arrived in London this afternoon, Mr Burnham was asked about comments he made when Rishi Sunak became prime minister, when he called for a general election.

Asked if he would now call an election, he said: “You’re jumping several hurdles ahead there.”

The former mayor of Greater Manchester added that his “priority” for the day was to officially swear in as an MP, adding: “It’s been very kind of sad for me today to leave Greater Manchester.

“The people have been brilliant to me over the last few years. I’ve loved every minute of the role. I hope I leave Manchester in a better place.”

A coronation for the former Greater Manchester mayor looks increasingly likely after his main rival Wes Streeting backed him. If Mr Burnham is the only candidate to received the support needed to stand in the contest for the vacant Labour leadership, he could become prime minister in mid-July.

And his chances of becoming the next prime minister were boosted by the backing of former health secretary Mr Streeting, who denied he had been offered a job in a future Burnham government in return for his support.

Mr Streeting quit the Cabinet in protest at Sir Keir’s leadership and had previously indicated he would be prepared to fire the starting gun on a contest to oust him if he did not voluntarily quit.

He said he had spoken with Mr Burnham “at length” and concluded he could “win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism”.

Sir Keir said he would ask Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to set out a timetable that would see a new leader in place by the time Parliament returns from its summer recess on September 1.

But the anointing of a new leader could come much sooner, with nominations closing on July 16. Sir Keir’s decision to quit means the UK will now have its seventh prime minister in a decade.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for a general election in the wake of Sir Keir’s resignation, tweeting: “If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming.”

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said there should be an election “if Andy Burnham is not able to set out how he’s going to keep our country safe” amid an ongoing row within government over defence funding.

Other opposition figures stopped short of demanding an election, but urged Sir Keir’s successor to be bold.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Whoever becomes prime minister needs to drop the caution and complacency and show the ambition our country deserves.”

Green leader Zack Polanski said the country needed “a bold change of direction”, adding: “The time for half measures and sticking plasters is long gone – if he becomes the next PM, Burnham must be bold or he will be bust.”

A major incident was declared on Friday (June 19) after two East Midlands Railway trains collided near Elstow in Bedfordshire, with more than 100 people taken to hospital and driver Shaun Burton confirmed dead

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Eight people remain critically ill in hospital following a collision between two trains in Bedfordshire. More than 100 people were taken to hospital and a major incident declared on Friday (June 19) after two trains crashed on the line by Elstow in Bedfordshire.

Police were called just after 5.15pm to reports two East Midlands Railway locomotives had collided. Officers from the British Transport Police (BTP), Bedfordshire Police, National Police Air Service and local fire fighters and ambulance crews attended the scene.

The BTP confirmed on Monday evening that 53 people remained in hospital, eight of whom are in a critical condition. Officers however believe this number is “likely to continue to change” as time moves on.

The driver of one of the trains, 60-year-old Shaun Burton, died in the crash. In a statement issued through the police, his family said: “We are devastated by his loss. Our thoughts are also with those affected by this incident.”

Dave Calfe, general secretary of train driver union Aslef, told the BBC: “We are all heartbroken by the death of Shaun Burton, which leaves a hole in the lives of his family, friends and colleagues that will never be filled.”

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Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy, from the BTP, said: “First and foremost, the thoughts of everyone at BTP are with the driver Shaun Burton’s family and colleagues, and all those injured and affected by the collision on Friday.”

Dep Ch Const Cundy went on to describe the investigation as a “priority” for the BTP, adding that the senior investigating officer is working in close collaboration with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to establish the precise sequence of events. He confirmed that personal belongings have been retrieved from the trains.

The officer continued: “Friday evening witnessed an awful incident that presented complexities and challenges for all those who responded. I have been humbled by the actions of passengers and staff who were on the trains, and by the professionalism of our officers, the wider emergency services and partners.

“The recovery operation is now underway, and work continues this week to remove the damaged trains and carriages and allow the railway to reopen.”

Those affected by the incident are urged to get in touch with the BTP.

The York-based rail firm, which operates the East Coast Main Line from Edinburgh to London, said it “strongly recommends” that people do not to travel on Wednesday (June 24) and Thursday.

Network Rail may have to introduce speed restrictions in parts of the country on Wednesday and Thursday due to the heat.

LNER said it will be running fewer services on Wednesday and Thursday as there is likely to be delays caused by longer journey times.

It comes as a rare red weather warning covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham is in place from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Thursday.

Forecasters say the heatwave could see temperatures hit 38C to 40C in some parts of England and Wales, smashing the June record set in 1976 by several degrees as human-driven climate change intensifies the impact of a “heat-dome” settling over western Europe.

LNER said some restrictions on tickets have already been lifted for customers travelling on the East Coast Main Line up until Friday “to help make their journeys more comfortable”.

Customers with tickets for Wednesday and Thursday can use them to travel on LNER services on Friday at no extra cost or claim a full refund from their point of purchase if they prefer not to travel, the company said.

For more information, visit www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/travel-updates/

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